There is a cause for excitement in Stratford this Friday. Until now the disused rail yards at the south east end of town have been home to some well fed cows and sheep and the odd horse or pig. NO MORE.
On Friday 9^th September 2005 at 4 PM a local Hapu, Ngati Hawe, with the support of the Ministry of Maori Development, Tui Ora and the Stratford District Council, will be turning the first stones on a major industrial development providing a modern up to date commercial complex which can be leased to local businesses. Storage units will also be built on the site so locals no longer have to travel to Eltham or Inglewood to store their treasured items.
"This will be one of the first major development initiatives ever undertaken in Taranaki by a local Hapu" says Eddie Ngeru, Kaumatua and chairman of the Ngati Hawe Hapu Trust.
"It is our mission to build a strong sustainable economic and cultural base that benefits both our Hapu and the wider community. This is the first step of a plan to see this land developed for the good of all"
Mr Ngeru is excited about the opportunities this development will bring.
"It's not just for our hapu and family it's for everyone and everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony and a cup of tea afterwards" At Whakahurangi Marae